The Zend-Avesta, Part II: The Sîrôzahs, Yasts, and Nyâyis

Introduction: Explains the scope of the volume, the mythical and legendary character of the texts, the translation method, and the use of Pahlavi, Persian, Sanskrit, and Iranian epic traditions. Preliminary Observations to the Yasts and Sîrôzahs: Defines the nature of the Yasts as hymns of worship and the Sîrôzah as a thirty-day cycle of invocations. Sîrôzah I: Presents shorter invocations to the divine beings presiding over the thirty days of the Zoroastrian month. Sîrôzah II: Gives fuller liturgical invocations corresponding to the same divine order. I. Ormazd Yast / Bahman Yast: Praises Ahura Mazda, his sacred names, their protective power, and related theological formulas. II. Haptan Yast: Devoted to the seven Amesha-Speṇtas and their protective, cosmic, and ritual significance. III. Ardibehist Yast: Praises Asha-Vahishta and Airyaman, especially in relation to holiness, healing, and the defeat of disease and demons. IV. Khordad Yast: Associated with Haurvatat, health, waters, and purification. V. Aban Yast: Devoted to Ardvi Sura Anahita, the sacred waters, fertility, royal power, and Iranian heroic legends. VI. Khorshed Yast: Hymn to the sun, emphasizing light, purity, and protection against darkness and demons. VII. Mah Yast: Hymn to the moon, its cosmic role, fertility symbolism, and relation to the seed of the primordial bull. VIII. Tir Yast: Devoted to Tishtrya, the star associated with rain, cosmic waters, and the struggle against drought. IX. Gos Yast: Concerns the soul of the Cow and the sacred value of cattle within Zoroastrian cosmology. X. Mihir Yast: A major hymn to Mithra, lord of wide pastures, covenant, truth, watchfulness, and royal order. XI. Srosh Yast Hâdhôkht: Praises Sraosha as guardian of the sacred word and protector against demonic forces. XII. Rashn Yast: Devoted to Rashnu, the divine power of justice, truth, and judgment. XIII. Farvardin Yast: A major hymn to the Fravashis, the protective spiritual essences of the righteous. XIV. Bahram Yast: Praises Verethraghna, the divine power of victory and martial strength. XV. Ram Yast: Connected with Vayu and the forces of air, space, power, and movement. XVI. Din Yast: Devoted to the good religion and its sacred protection. XVII. Ashi Yast: Praises Ashi Vanguhi, the divine power of fortune, reward, prosperity, and blessing. XVIII. Ashtad Yast: Concerns Arstat and truth-oriented divine order. XIX. Zamyad Yast: Devoted to the Earth and the royal Glory, with important material on Iranian kingship and heroic mythology. XX. Vanant Yast: Invokes the star Vanant and its protective force. XXI–XXII. Yast Fragments / Yast: Fragmentary hymnic materials preserved in the Avestan tradition. XXIII. Afrin Paighambar Zartusht: A blessing connected with Zarathushtra. XXIV. Vishtasp Yast: Associated with King Vishtaspa and the establishment of the Zoroastrian faith. Preliminary Observations to the Nyâyis: Introduces the shorter daily prayers. Khorshed Nyâyis: Prayer to the sun. Mihir Nyâyis: Prayer to Mithra. Mah Nyâyis: Prayer to the moon. Aban Nyâyis: Prayer to the waters. Atash Nyâyis: Prayer to fire.